In homage to Maurice Sendak, Cinema Place Gallery has asked local artists to submit artwork that conveys their imaginings of "Wild Things and Mild Things." The upcoming show at 1061 B Street presents images that are a little scary, but intriguing to look at and fanciful work that engages the imagination.

This show should be particularly interesting to parents of pre-school and elementary school children (and the children themselves!) as it opens the door to conversations about scary and safe as well as real and imaginary. Teachers may make reservations to bring their classes to this spacious gallery in downtown Hayward, where parking is easily accessible from both B and C streets, by calling the Hayward Arts Council at (510) 538-2787 and leaving a message for preferred viewing dates and times and the number and age of children participating. Working artists and/or child development specialists will conduct scheduled tours.

The gallery, free and open to the public, will open "Wild Things and Mild Things" on Thursday, September 13, and exhibit until Friday, October 26. Cinema Place Gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. A reception for artists will be held at the gallery from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 20.

Enjoy Debbie Callen's mosaic sculpture "Flower Power," marvel at the scary faces presented by Angelo Buenaseda, take comfort in Marcia Okane's watercolors of nature, and be amazed at the detail in Ben Witzke's illustrations. Most of all enjoy the imaginings of these twenty-four artists, and let your imagination soar with Zeneida Lambertus' "Melody on White," Zelema Di Marco's "Peace," and Steven Platt's, "Dancing Girls."